December 9, 2010
A look at a Vinson Summit Day. (Photo Eric Remza)
Phil called in last night around Midnight (Antarctica time/7:00pm PST) to report that everybody made it up to High Camp in good form yesterday and will go for the summit today.
The plan today was to wake up with the sun, fire up the stoves for a hot drink then hit the “trail” on what Phil estimates to be a 12hr. summit day (roundtrip back to High Camp). If all is going as planned, they’re a few hours into their day, but we’ll know more this evening.
Tomorrow, they’ll continue downhill to Vinson Base Camp where they’ll catch a flight (weather permitting) to the new landing area at Union Glacier where the big IL-76 awaits to fly them back to South America. First thing first – summit Vinson, the rest can wait.
Tye Chapman